University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
McNeese
Golden Eagles Head to McNeese Following Dominant Owens Era Debut
8/15/2026 1:49:00 PM | Women's Soccer
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss soccer heads to Lake Charles Sunday afternoon to take on McNeese in the second match of the 2026 season. This marks the first meeting between the two programs since 2001. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at Cowgirl Field.
Game Details
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026 - 5 P.M. CT
Lake Charles, La. - Cowgirl Field
Stream – smttt.info/4wZXPzI
Live Stats – smttt.info/4gwOFF5
The Golden Eagles enter the matchup riding momentum from a dominant 4-0 victory over Alabama State on Thursday. Head coach Danny Owens' debut featured complete control of the match, with three different goal scorers putting the game away early. That kind of start gives Southern Miss something to build on heading into a road test against a Southland Conference opponent that just secured its season opener.
McNeese earned a 2-1 victory over Alcorn State on Thursday morning in the debut for first-year head coach Alexsis Cable. The Cowgirls scored twice in the first half to take control early. Emma Korhonen netted her first NCAA Division I goal at 32 minutes before Gabbi Barusic struck at 33 minutes to put McNeese in front 2-0. Alcorn answered with a second-half goal but couldn't complete the comeback.
Coach Cable's squad took the field with fresh energy heading into the season. Twenty-three Cowgirls saw action against Alcorn, with 11 making their first appearance in a McNeese uniform. That kind of depth rotation indicates a coaching staff comfortable with its roster and building for the long season ahead. McNeese heads into Sunday's match looking to build on its opening victory.
The Cowgirls finished the 2025 season at 4-12-4 overall and 3-5-2 in Southland Conference play. They return leading goal scorer Rhiannon Maynes-Tourond, who had six goals last season. Freshman Isabella Baltov, the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year in high school, adds new talent to the attack after scoring 176 goals in her high school career.
For Southern Miss, the challenge is maintaining the rhythm established against Alabama State while adjusting to a road environment. McNeese will have the advantage of playing at home on Cowgirl Field, where the temperature and conditions could play a factor late in the match.
Up Next
Southern Miss travels to Starkville to face Mississippi State on Sunday, August 23 at 6 p.m. at the MSU Soccer Complex.
For more information and to stay up to date with the Golden Eagles, visit SouthernMiss.com and follow the women's soccer team on Twitter (@SouthernMissSOC) and Instagram (@southernmisssoccer).
– #SMTTT –
